A/N- I apologize if my last author's note was 'childish' but this is the second time I'm apologizing. Don't take it too seriously, it's called a rant for a reason. Just ignore the A/N unless you see a reply for a review.
Thanks for the reviews.
I'm pretty sure that my motivation for updating is LoveWritingxoxo
Its-OK-to-love: Ok, I promise I won't give up on the story but I am probably putting it on hiatus along with my other stories since my main focus has fell onto 'Do you remember?'; that doesn't mean I won't update until that story is over, it just means that the updates will take longer to happen and more than likely happen sporadically but for you I'll make sure to update. You'll find out more about Luke's character soon, I promise. I wrote him that way for a reason. Everyone has their own story. I'll be sure to write more Brooke/ Nathan moments, don't you stress over that. Their friendship is a major part of this story, even if I haven't been writing it that way so far. I wasn't planning on it but if you would like a flashback or two of her past relationship I would be more than willing to oblige. Not in this chapter, but the next one definetely-I already have my notes written out for it.
Tugging on his collar, he let out a breath just as his phone rang. "Hello?" He asked, though his voice came out squeaky.
Giggling, "Hey mighty mouse, are you going to come inside or hang out in your car all night?" The raspy voice questioned.
"No, I'm getting out now. What're you watching me from the window?" He joked.
"Well yes." She admitted. "Come on boyfriend, move your cute butt in here." Brooke spoke before they ended the phone call.
Climbing out of his car, he slowly made his way up to the house. Going to knock on the door only to be met with air as the brunette pulled it open. "Hi boyfriend." She said, bouncing on her feet and pecking his lips.
"Hey prettygirl." He mumbled against her lips. "You look beautiful."
"I'm wearing jeans and a tank top." She responded.
Smiling, "You've never looked more beautiful." Kissing her cheek before taking the flowers out from behind his back. "Gerber daises for my beautiful girlfriend and wine for the hostess."
"Luke, these are beautiful. Thank you." Brooke said, going in for a kiss only to be interrupted.
"Nice of you to tell me he's here, Brookie." Haley said, wiping her hands on her apron. "Hi, I'm Haley. It's nice to meet you."
"Luke. It's nice to meet you too, I've heard so much about you." Luke said while shaking her hand before handing the bottle of wine to her.
"I can say the same about you." Taking the bottle of wine. "Thank you. Well dinner should be ready in a few moments and Nathan should be home in a few minutes. He had to take care of some things at the school."
"That's right, you both teach at the high school. Right?" Luke questioned as he and Brooke followed Haley into the kitchen.
"Nathan's the basketball coach and I teach English." Haley shared as she began setting the table while Luke and Brooke took a seat at the kitchen counter.
"You two have more patience than I ever could." Luke stated, knowing that he loved kids but teaching them was a lot different then spending time with his nieces and nephews.
"Naley here are pretty much shining stars in whatever they do." Brooke shared.
"Naley?" Luke echoed.
"That's what Brooke has called us since high school. It's a combination of our first names. If you haven't figured it out, Brooke's notorious for nicknames." Haley spoke.
"Oh, I know that. Isn't that right, pretty girl?" Luke said, tapping the brunette's nose playfully.
Nodding her head, "It is, boyfriend." Brooke replied, wrapping her arms around the blonde's neck and rubbing her nose against his.
Smiling as she watched the pair interact, "I think you two are the perfect balance for one another." She paused for a moment. "Brucas."
Scrunching her nose as she echoed the word, "I like it. That's what we are." Brooke spoke as she kissed the blonde's lips before pulling away from him.
"What do you think about it?" Haley questioned as she set the food in the middle of the table.
Shrugging, "If it makes her happy then I'm all for it." Luke stated easily.
"Good man." Haley said as she handed him the bottle of wine. "Brooke, please grab the glasses." Hearing the front door open.
"Hales?" Nathan's voice flowed through the house.
"We're in the kitchen." Haley yelled to her husband.
Smiling as he looked at his wife then best friend before it faded as his eyes fell on the male who was uncorking the wine. "Nathan Scott this is Luke Eugene." Brooke introduced happily.
"Hi, I've heard a lot about you." Luke said, extending his hand out towards Nathan who just stood there remaining mute and unmoving.
Laughing softly yet nervously, "Nathan." Haley said, snapping her husband out of his reverie.
Taking his hand as he shook it, "It's nice to meet you." Nathan said before kissing his wife and hugging Brooke. "How about we sit down for dinner. Smells delicious, Hales." He spoke as everyone followed him to the dining room and sat down.
Dinner had been tense to say the least, mostly because Nathan remained mute except for the hard stare he was sending Luke's way. Everyone at the table seemed to notice it too, but didn't comment on it. "How about some dessert?" Haley offered, knowing that she'd understand if Luke wanted to leave but she was also trying to be a good hostess.
"Sure, Nate and I will get it." Brooke said as she put he napkin on the table and stood up.
"I'm good here." Nathan replied.
"Now, Nathaniel." Brooke said sternly, causing the muscular brunette to let out a breath before he stood up and followed her into the kitchen. "What is your problem?" She questioned.
"Nothing." Nathan said as he grabbed a knife and began cutting into the cake.
Sighing as she grabbed the plates before sitting them on the counter. "Do you hate him that much?" Brooke asked softly, knowing that she took her best friend's judgement and if Nathan didn't like him- they wouldn't last.
"B, look I don't-" Nathan began but Brooke stopped him.
"He isn't like Chase, okay." Brooke spoke, noticing the way Nathan tensed at the mention of her ex-boyfriend's name. She didn't like to bring him up anymore than he did, but Nathan needed to know that Luke was different. "He brings me up and compliments me so much that I think I have a permanent blush on my cheeks." Looking at her best friend.
"He makes me happy, can't that be enough for you to back off?" She questioned.
Nodding his head as he looked at the petite brunette, Nathan knew that if this guy was treating Brooke anything less than perfect then Brooke would let him know. "Of course it is." Nathan reassured her as he pulled her into a hug. "You know how protective I am over you. I'll go easier on him, I promise."
Smiling as she hugged him back tightly, "Thank you." She said softly. "Now come on mister, I want cake." Grabbing the plates as the two brunette's headed back to the dining room.
Clearing the table as Brooke said her goodbyes to her boyfriend, Haley noticed that when Brooke and Nathan came back with dessert that Nathan was actually nicer to Luke. Even started talking about basketball, something the two of them had in common.
"What are you staring at?" Nathan asked as he washed off the dishes and began placing them into the dishwasher.
"Nothing, it was just nice that you gave Luke a shot." Haley said as she handed him more dishes.
Loading the rest of the dishswasher before closing it and starting the cycle. "No biggie." He shrugged. "He makes our Brooke happy so I figure if he's going to be around for a while..." He trailed off.
Laughing as she slipped her hands underneath his arms and around his waist. "You're just a big softy." Haley teased her husband.
Wrapping his arms around her waist, "Oh really?" He asked while looking down at her. "I'll show you, big softy." He teased before leaning down and kissing her lips, earning a soft laugh from her.
"You're such a goofball." Haley muttered against his lips.
"And you're sexy as hell, Mrs. Scott."Nathan replied as he deepened the kiss.
Smirking, "Nathan, they're in the next room." She reminded him.
"Then I guess, you be very very quiet." Nathan informed her.
"So I was thinking." Luke said as he laced his fingers through his girlfriends. "That we should go this place near Myrtle Beach."
Tilting her head, "I think I'm busy." Brooke said, pulling her hand away from his.
"I didn't even tell you a day yet." Luke said while letting out a chuckle.
"Is there a reason you don't want to be seen with me in town?" The brunette questioned. "The only time we're together is outside of my store. Any other time, it's your house or the park that's so far from civilization. Or my house or out of town. Even you coming over here, you didn't want to ride with me. You had me text you the address after I was already over here."
"Brooke-" He went to grab her hand only to have her pull it out of his reach and take a step back from him.
"No, either you tell me the real reason that you're embarassed to be seen with me in public or we end this now." The brunette spoke sternly.
Knitting his brow in confusion, "Baby girl." Stepping towards her, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her close. "I'm not embarrased to be with you. How about when you're done here, you stop by my place and we can talk. Okay?" Tilting her chin so that she was looking up at him. "Okay?" He asked again.
Nodding her head, "Okay." She agreed.
"Good." Leaning down, he placed a soft kiss on her lips.
Knocking on her boyfriend's front door, she began chewing on her bottom lip as she waited for him to answer. She really hoped that he had a good reason as to why he didn't want to be seen in public with her, at first she thought it was just her imagination but the more she paid attention the more she found out how true it was. Watching as the door opened, revealing a sleepy looking blonde. "Were you sleeping?"
Rubbing his eyes as he let out a yawn, "No, I just dozed off. Come on in." He said, moving out of the doorway.
Walking into the house, she headed towards the living room and sat down on the couch. "Okay. Let's just get this over with." Brooke said as she began fiddling with the car keys she held in her hands.
Taking a seat next to her, "Hey, look at me." Gently grabbing her chin, forcing her to look at him. "I'm not embarrased to be seen with you." Leaning in slowly, he brushed his lips against hers. "I'm falling in love with you." He confessed softly.
Widening her eyes as she stared at him, suddenly at a loss for words.
"Brooke?" He asked after a few minutes of silence. "Now would be a good time to say something-anything really." Luke spoke.
"Then why are you embarrased to be seen with me?" She spoke softly, not wanting to admit that she was falling for him to. She needed to know what his reasons were.
Sighing as he pulled away from her, "You remember that bad relationship I told you about back in L.A.?" Getting up from the couch, he began pacing in front of the couch on the other side of the coffee table.
"I know the vague details that you shared with me." Brooke responded.
Running his hand over his buzzed hair cut, "My ex, she had-well has a hard time letting me go. She thinks that I'm going to come back to her. I don't know why it's just, she has someone that lives here that informs her of my every move. I've had to change my number three times yet she still gets ahold of it. A restraining order won't help and ignoring her only motivates her more." He continued pacing infront of his girlfriend. "It's not that I don't want anyone to see us together or I'm embarassed by you. I just don't want her to get anywhere near you- to put these lies into your head and make you question the person I am." Luke told her.
Getting up from the couch, she walked over to him and gently grabbed his hands. "Then why didn't you just tell me all of this before?" Brooke questioned. "You know I have experience with bad exes and you should also know that I hate secrets." Looking up at him, "You should've told me from the beginning." She whispered before breaking eye contact and pulling away from him. "I should go, it's been a long night with dinner and I think we need some sleep." Heading towards the front door.
"Brooke." He pleaded as he gently grabbed her wrist. "I know I should've told you but..." He trailed off, not really knowing what to say. "Can you just stay with me tonight? Please?" He begged softly.
Looking at the front door before turning her attention back to her boyfriend, she slowly nodded her head in agreement. "Okay." She spoke softly.
Locking the front door, he laced his fingers through hers and gently lead her to his bedroom. Letting go of her hand, he flipped on the light. "I have a shirt and a pair of shorts for you to change into." Luke said, heading to his dresser and rummaging through his drawers.
"Just the shirt will be fine." Brooke said as she placed her keys on the nightstand and discarded her jacket on the nearby chair.
Handing her the shirt, "Bathroom's through there." Pointing towards the direction of the bathroom. "I'll change out here."
Nodding her head, she quietly walked into the room before closing the door behind her. A few moments later, she emerged changed into his shirt while he was wearing nothing but some long pajama bottoms. "I'll just sleep on the couch." He told her, before grabbing a pillow, blanket and his phone.
Looking at the bed and then at her retreating boyfriend, "Stay." She called out to him, causing him to pause his movements. Looking at him, she offered a small smile before climbing into the king sized bed.
Walking back over to the bed, he dropped the blanket and pillow on the chair in his room before turning off the light and climbing underneath the covers and laying next to her. Letting out a heavy breath as he felt her shift away from him, "I know you're still upset with me and probably don't trust me so much anymore but I meant what I said...I am falling in love with you." He spoke softly before turning his back to the brunette.
Closing her eyes as she licked her lips, remaining silent for a few moments before she spoke. "I'm falling in love with you too." She confessed, holding her breath before letting it out slowly when she realized that he wasn't going to respond. Closing her eyes, she willed herself to sleep before she felt the bed shift. Moving his body closer to hers, he wrapped his arm around her front and brought her body closer to his.
Placing a kiss on her cheek, then her neck, then one last one behind her ear. "I love you, prettygirl." He whispered softly.
Lacing her fingers through his, she pulled him even closer while a dimpled smile graced her face. "I love you too, boyfriend." She whispered back.
Hearing his cell phone buzz against the inn table, he slowly opened his eyes before looking down at the brunette who still remained in his arms. Smiling as he looked down at her, he dropped a kiss on her forehead before pulling away from her. Grabbing his phone, he climbed out of bed and headed into the living room. "Hello?" He answered groggily.
"Nice that my own brother stands me up when he's supposed to meet me, but then-"
"Nate." He cut him off, rubbing the sleep away from his eyes. "It's been a long day and my girlfriend already made me feel like a shitty person."
"Well you deserved it..." He spoke. "Probably." He added as an afterthought. "What happened?"
Sighing as he fell onto his couch, "She just called me on my shit."
Chuckling, "I wish I would've been there to see that." Nathan shared. "So what'd you tell her?"
"My past...partially. Just told her I had an ex who made sure she had an informant that was telling her about my life." He replied.
Letting out a breath as he lay back on the couch, holding the phone in between his shoulder and head.
"Spit it out, Nate." Knowing that his brother had something to say, he always had something to say.
"I know that it was hard to tell the truth but you weren't completely honest with her, were you?" Nathan asked. "You need to tell her the whole truth, Luke."
Rubbing his hand over his face, "I know, Nate. I know." Luke replied as he let out a long breath, getting up from the couch. "I will...just give me time, okay?"
"Okay, I won't say anything but if you wait too long it'll end up blowing up in your face. You need to be honest, Lucas." He reiterated once again.
"I know, just let me tell Brooke on my own time." Lucas replied, glancing into the room where he saw the sleeping brunette curled up in the comforter on his bed. "I promise I won't hurt her."
Nodding his head, "I know big brother...look I better get off here, early morning." Getting up from the couch. "Just take care of her."
"I will." He promised. "Night, little brother."
"Night, Luke." Nathan replied before ending the phone call.
"Come on babe, the sooner we get off the plane the sooner you get to see Brooke." He said as she grabbed her last bag and began following him off the plane.
"I won't be able to see her until the morning anyway." She replied as they handed their bags to the driver before climbing into the back seat. "Waking up Brooke in the middle of the night, you better be dying or already dead."
Chuckling, "She that bad?"He questioned. "Can't be any worse than you."
Shoving her finace's shoulder, "You're such a dick." She said with a smile as he gently pulled her into his arms.
"You know I love you, Rach." Cooper said just as the car began moving, gently rubbing her shoulders.
Smiling as she leaned herself further into his embrace, "I love you too, Cooper." She replied, feeling a sense of happiness wash over her when she realized that she was close to marrying the love of her life with her best friend right by her side. Tree Hill may have not been her home, but it was were the rest of her family was at and she was glad to be there.
A/N- Surprise! Sorry it was short. Reviews would be so awesome.
